Working in the City : Redundancy

The dreaded ‘R’ word was thrust upon me a few weeks ago and my world caved in. Fresh from my holiday in Ghana, I walked into the office feeling revitalised and ready to start the working cycle again.

Imagine my complete surprise when I was taken aside and told that my job was at risk of being made redundant.

I never saw it coming!

I knew that redundancies were occurring as I got word whilst on holiday that some of my close peers were being given the boot, but not once did it actually cross my mind that I would be on the chopping block.

My mind started to drown with all the thoughts running through it. My number one concern was how I was going to pay my rent and bills. I mean, I just got back from holiday. I had spent well.

I was distraught.

When I thought of redundancy, I always thought of middle aged colleagues packing the desk away, being escorted out of the building or simply agreeing to take voluntary redundancy. I never thought someone in their late twenties in their 3rd proper professional job would be one of the casualties.

I got told not to take the news personally – they were not trying to get rid of me just the role. But, how could I not take it personally, when ‘I’ was the role?

Colleagues kept trying to pacify me by saying that they (management) really wanted to keep me and that they were sad that I was put in this position but all this did was incense me further. They had put me in this position!

At this point I didn’t really care about their feelings. If they had wanted to keep me, then my role should not have been thrown into the pool.

I understood that business decisions had to be made. I understood that as employees we are in essence, disposable. But what I didn’t understand was the justification behind my role no longer being required. This is what hurt the most.

Over the coming days and weeks, I saw colleagues get the chop and leave without an official goodbye. We were being led like lambs to the slaughter.

However, I decided to safeguard myself financially by applying for the suitable alternative job role that the company had coming up. They dangled the carrot and I took it. I didn’t want it. But I had no choice. I needed a job.

I got it!

Damn, I was stuck.

I should have been happy. I still had a job – albeit a different one, but a job nonetheless. I wasn’t though.

I had to get out. I felt trapped and confused, what would be my next move?

They say when one door closes another one opens.

I threw myself vigorously into applying for another role.

There had to be a greater reason as to why this redundancy came about. Maybe this was the push I needed to leave the company and grow professionally.